Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Verses four through nine in the fourth chapter of Philippians are some of the best in the Bible, and verse four is a simple, yet powerful, beginning to those six verses.

Rejoice! Always!

These days, it’s sometimes difficult to even think about rejoicing, much less actually do it. Many are out of work and struggling to make ends meet, and the thought of being joyful is not one that often enters their minds. Others are struggling with marriages and wayward children, while others battle disease and pain.

What we must remember to do is focus on God and our promise of eternal life with Him. These troubles and trials we experience while in this world are temporary, and each of them shall pass. But our future—our forever—awaits us, and we should remain joyful as we move through this life toward it. We must strive to not look at the problems, but instead, to look to the Lord for solutions. There is a solution to each and every problem!

So when troubles, trials, and heartaches beset you, don’t focus on them; instead, forge ahead with confident joy, knowing God is in control and He will get you to the other side of anything that comes against you. He has a plan, and you are part of that plan!